Can vacuumizing and seaming machine



Filed Nov. 5, 1932 9 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Oct; 22, 1935.G. A. BARDET 'fr AL CAN VACUUMIZING AND SEAMNGl MACHINE 9 Sheets-Shet v2Filed NOV. 5, 1932` G. A. BARDx-:T ET AL 2,018,113 vCf'N VACUUMIZINGlANDSEAMING MACHINE oct. 22, 1935.

Filed Nov. 5, 1952 9 sheets-sheet 5 v INVENToR s f? ATTORNEY 5` G. A.BARDET ET AL CAN VACUMI'ZING AND SEAMING MACHINE i Oct. 22 1935.

Filed Nov. 5, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 al f 1 Kif oct 22, 1935- G. A.BARDET 1=:r AL

GAN v'ACuUMIzING ANDKSEAMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet'7 Oct. 22, 1935- G.. A'. BARDET Er M v 2,018,113

CAN VACUUMIZING` AND SEAMING MACHINE Filed Nqv. 5. 1952 9 sheets-.sheet8 INVENTOR 5 G50/ecm 14.542057* ATTORNEYS" Oct. 22, 1935, G. A. BARDl-:TET AL CAN VACUUMIZING' AND SEAMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5. 1932 9Sheets-Sheet 9 AITRN EYS Patented ct. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE CAN VACUUMIZING AND SEAMING MACHINE Application November 5, 1932,Serial No. 641,382

10 Claims. (Cl. 113-24) This invention relates to can vacuumizing andseamng machines. More particularly .it relates to machines of thatcharacter having a relatively small vacuumizingchamber adapted toreceive one can at a time and containing a single spindle double seamer,and into which chamber cans, with covers loosely placed thereon, may bemoved by means which automatically closes the chamber as it supports thecan during vacuumizing and seaming; vacuum being applied from a sourceof supply through the medium of a rotary control valve synchronized inits opening and closing action with the timed operations of the cansupport and seamer mechanism'.

'I'he principal objects of the present invention are- First, to provide'a relatively inexpensive ma-l chine of the above character, adaptedeither to fully automatic or semi-automatic operation, and

whereby cans, with ends unclinched and loosely applied thereto may bequickly and uniformly vacuumized and sealed by double seaming the coversor ends thereto.

Second, to provide a machine in which the '25 vacuumizing chamber isonly of such volume asz chamber, thereby to insure a quick and uniformvacuumization of all cans.

Fourth, to provide means for automaticallydesignating cans that are notfully or properly vacuumized at the en'd of the seaming operationthereon. 1

- Fifth, to providea novel form of rotary valve for controlling theapplication of vacuumk to the vacuumizing chamber and whereby theapplication of vacuum to the can may be made gradually toprecludepossible drawing out ofcontents therefrom incident to the extraction ofair.

Sixth, to provide a support whereby the cans vare lifted into thevacuumizing chamber and positioned for seaming and which accommodatesitself to slight 'variations in height of cans, and to .variationsincident to depression or 'wear on the chamber sealing gasket.

Seventh, to provide a double seamer head of y novel constructionincluding both iirst and secvmechanism in a plane through the axial lineond operation seaming rolls readily adjustable to cans of dilerentdiameters.

Other objects of the invention reside in the Various details ofconstruction, in the combination of parts and in their mode of operationas 5 will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above and other objects of the invention, We haveprovided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying 10 drawings, wherein- Fig. 1is a front elevation of a can vacuumizing and sealing machineembodied'by the present invention. v

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same; the'support- 15 ing pedestal and gearhousing being shown in vertical section for the purpose of betterillustration. v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section, on a horizontal plane, takensubstantially on the line 3--3 in 20 Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the design of the three cams employed inthe double seamer, and showing them as keyed on the cam shaft in theiroperating relationship. 25

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, vertical section through the driving gears andcams associated with the seamer, as seen on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an outside elevation of the rotary v alve mechanism whichcontrols the application 30 of vacuum to the vacuumizing chamber.

Fig. 7 isv a similar view of the valve with the rotary member fartheradvanced.- Fig. 7a discloses an alternative.

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail of a circuit closer 35 used in thecircuit'of the signaling means for designating improperly vacuumizedcans.

Fig.l 9 is a sectional view -of theseamer head thereof. n 40 Fig. 10 isan enlarged, sectional detail of the signaling means l'for indicatingabsence of proper Vacuum within a sealed can.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional detail of the can elevating andlowering post and its actuating lever.

Fig. l2 is a horizontal section on the line |2-I2 in Fig. 11. v

Fig. 13 is a cross section of thev double seamer 50 head taken in thevertical plane of the line I 3-I3 in Fig. 14. y

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken on line |4-I4 in Fig. 13illustrating'arrangement of the slides of the head. 65

Fig. 14a isa detaill illustrating means for atlujusting a seaming ro 4Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the double seamer cams and partsactuated thereby.

Fig. 16 is a timing diagram for the seamer cams, valve and testingcircuit switch.

Fig. 1'7 is aview illustrating a can feed device for a fully automaticmachine. Fig. 18 ls a detail of the same.

Fig. 19 is a view diagrammatically illustrating, in side elevation, analternative automatic can feed mechanism as applied to the machine.

Fig.-20 is a front elevation of the same.

Fig. 21 is a plan View of the feed levers.

Briefly described, the present device is a stationary,l single spindlemachine adapted to the double seaming of cans, one at a time, after theyhave been placed manually or automatically in position upon a supportand elevated thereby into a vacuumizing chamber. The chamber employed isopen at the base to receivethe cans as lifted thereinto by the supportand it encloses a single head double seamer equippedwith rst and secondoperation rolls. A feature of this construction is` that the vacuumizingchamber is only as large as is required to contain the can and doubleseamer head so that the volume to be vacuumized and the time forvacuumization is reduced to a minimum. Cans placed manually, orautomatically, upon the support are lifted thereby into the vacuumizingchamber and retained in proper position for seaming. At the same timethe entrance to the chamber is sealed by a platen associated with thesupport so that vacuum may be drawn therein. As soon as the chamber isclosed,

the vacuumization period begins and it continues substantially throughthedouble seaming operation, which is somewhat delayed after the chamberis closed in order to permit complete vacuumization of the can beforesealing takesplace; the application and release of vacuum being undercontrol of a rotary valve which is properly timed with the action of theseamer and cansupport.

Prior to the feeding of a can into the vacuum-` izing chamber, a 'coveris loosely placed thereon. Then, when the can is lifted into thechamber,

` the cover is caused to abut against a stationary 'nsA pad associatedwithy and coaxlal'of the seamer head. This pad retains the coveragainstdisplacement fmm the can during vacuumization prior to seaming. Afterthe can has been vacuumized, the double seamer operates to seam thecover to the can then the support and platen are lowered to remove thecan from the chamthe parts in position for the nextl ber and place can.

The double seamer isa single head machine with two rst and two secondoperation seamlng rolls mounted on individual slides radially adjustablein the head and each operatively connected to an adjustable sleevecoaxial of the head and which, by acam controlled movement rin onedirection, will cause the rst operation rolls to engage the can an'ge,then,v by movement in an opposite direction, will cause the secondoperation rolls to finish the seaming operation.

' The testing of each can takes place immediately following the seamingoperation and in this test, the absence of inward deflection of theupper end wall of the can will bring aboutthe energization of the-signalwhich designates that the can is improperly vacuumized.

Referring more in detail to the drawings- VThe vacuumizing chamber',l inits entirety, is

designated by reference numeral' I and it is rigidly supported by abracket 2 vthat is fixed to and extends forwardly from the upper endportion of a pedestal or frame 3. yThis pedestal hasa base flange 3athrough which bolts or the like may be extended if needed to anchor themachine firmly to a foundation, The pedestal lalso forms a sort ofhousing or enclosure within which an electric motor 4 is xed for drivingthe-machine, as presently will be described.

The double seamer mechanism 5 is contained within and is functionallysupported by the chamber and the gearing whereby the seamer head isdriven, andthe several cams whereby its various operatingparts aresynchronized in their movements', are'enclosed within a housing 6 thatis fixed upon the upper end of the pedestal, or which may be formed as apart thereof. i

The vacuu'mizing chamber, 'as seen best in Fig. 9, comprises upper andlower sections Ia and Ib, respectively, joined tightly together by bolts'I extended through flanges-'la formed about these parts. These twosections-form a circular enclosure or chamber within which the headportion of the double seamer mechanism is revolubly 2 5 contained. Thelowersection Ib of the chamber has a cylindrical, downwardly 'extendingportion )Ic of reduced diameter coaxial of the chamber I ings III and. II, respectively, thatare fitted in the bearing portion 9, and it extendssomewhat beyondthe lupper end vof the bearing and has a gear wheel I2xed thereon for rotating the head,

`Aas will presently be described. A cap 9a is applied about the spindleand is attached to the upper end portion of the bearing 9 and this capcontains a packed gland 9b whereby leakage into the chamber past thespindle is prevented.

Fixed to the pedestal or frame 3, below the bracket 2, is a guidebearing bracket I3 and with#` in this is contained a vertically slidingpost 'I4.

The post I4 is of tubular form and is slidably is disposed in'coaxialalinexnent with the vacuumizing chamber and seamer head. Slidably keyedin the tubular post and extending beyond the upper and lower endsthereof, is a shaft I6 which,

at its upper end, mounts a horizontal pad I6 on 5.5.1

which a can as designated at II is centered for movement into thevacuumizing chamber incident to an upward adjustment of the post.

Slidably tted on the upper end of the shaft II about the pad vnils aplaten la and this lsl arranged to flt tightly against a sealing gasketI9 set within a groove 20 formed in the lower end of the chamberextension Ic, thus to close and seal the chamber during the vacuumizingand Vsealing period. The upper fase of the platen ls 06.

recessed to receive the pad I6 therein and when the post I 4 'is inlowered position, as seen in Fig. 1, the top surfaces of the pad and theplaten will be even. With the post I4 fully lowered, a can may becentered on the pad, then' whenl the v70-f Y mechanism shifts the postupwardly, the can will be lifted directly into the vacuumizingchamberand the platen I8 will engage tightly against the sealing gasket, asseen in Fig. 11, to seal the chamber while the pad I8 supports the can In 75.;

keyed as at I4a in the guide bearing and also 50i spring 32 attached tothe 'lever at 21 and to the,

Vto

proper position to be acted on by the seaming rolls.

For the purpose of centering the can on the pad three pins 2l are fixedtherein at distances from the center of the pad corresponding to theradius of the lower end of the can. rJL'hen when the can is placedagainst these pins, it will be accurately centered relative to the padand axially alined with the seamer head and the vacuumizing chamber. Thecylindrical extension .Ic of the vacuumizing chamber as observed in Fig.9 is just slightly larger than the can cover so that when the can isinserted therein, there will be a minimum amount of space to bevacuumized.

The raising and lowering of the post I4 is effected byv means of a lever22 that is pivotally supported at one end upon a cross shaft 23 mountedtransversely within the lower end portion of the frame 3 and at itsouter end has a sliding, pivoted connection as at 24 with a collar 25that is clamped about the lower end of the post. A link 26 is pivotallyconnected at its lower end to the lever 22 at 21 and at its upper endhas a pivoted connection at 28 with a lever 29 that is actuated insynchronism with the seamer mechanism, as lwill presently be described,to lower and raise the post I4. Also there is a coiled upper end of thepedestal by bolt 33 for pulling upwardly on the lever to yieldinglyresist its downward movement. v

The pad associated with the double seamer against which the cans arelifted when moved into the vacuumizing chamber by the upward movement ofthe post I4, is designated at 35 in Figs. 9 and 10. This is a stationaryabutment as will presently be understood, 4and in order that the canswhen lifted within the chamberwill bepressed tightly against this padand thus properly positioned for seaming regardless of any slightvariation in the heights of different cans, the

shaft I5 is yieldingly supported in the post through the medium of acoiled spring 36 which surrounds the shaftl and bears at its oppositeends, respectively, against -a shoulder 31 in the upper end of the postand against a nut 3i?y threaded on the shaft, as seen in Fig. 11. A nut39 threaded onto the lower end of the shaft I5 limits its upwardadjustment relative to the post by engagement with the lower end of thepost. Also, to compensate for any variation in the extent of the sealinggasket I9 and to insure tight and effective sealing of theehamberregardlessA of the final position of the pad or post I5 when the can islifted thereby into'the chamber, the platen I0 is slidably mounted onthe shaft to engage against the hub oi?l the pad and it is yieldinglysupported'against downward movement by a coiled spring 4I) surroundingthe shaft and bearing against the lower end of the platen andA lplatento engage the gasket before the post reaches its iin-a1 upward travel,thefspring 46 will be compressed after the platen'engages the gasket tohold the latter firmly against the sealing`gasket and will not-.requireany ladditional adjustment to compensate for attening out or wearingaway the gasket. This feature is important for the reason that if thepad and platen were integral, iiattening of the gasket would preventtight sealing of the chamber, or if the gasket projected too far, thiswould prevent the pad lifting the can to proper position against pad 35.5

While the machine is in operation, the head of the double seamer isrotated continuously through the medium of the gear wheell I2 fixed onthe spindle 8. This gear I2, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, is driven by alarger gear wheel 45 lfixed on a 10 vertical shaft 46 revolublysupported in bearings 41-41 in the housing 6. A pinion 48 is fixed tothe upper endv of shaft 46 and this meshes with a larger gear wheel 50fixed on the lower end of .the drive shaft'5l of a speed reductionmechanism l5 contained within a gear housing 52 fixed upon the top wallof the housing 6. This speed reduction mechanism includes a worm gear 53xed on the shaft 5I and a driving gear 54 therefor fixed on a horizontalshaft 55 mounted by bearings 20 56--56 and extending from the housing atone end and equipped on that end with a belt pulley 51. A belt 58, asseen in Fig. 2, operates about the pulley 51 and about a pulley 59 onthe drive shaft 60 of the motor 4. 25

For purpose of safety in operation, gear wheel 45 is driven from shaft46 through the mediacy )of a collar or hub 46 that is keyed or otherwisefastened to the shaft, and a shear pin 45 that extends through the hubflange and into the 30 'a jam should occur, the driving gear 62 is freeon the shaft 63 but is operatively attached thereto through the mediumof a shear pin 62a that extends through the flange of a hub 62h keyed to45 the shaft and into the gear. In the event of excessive strain', thepin will shear oif to automatically disrupt the driving connection.

The seamer head 5 is hollow and of circular form and substantially fillsthe enlarged upper 50y bell of the chamber I, as seen in Fig. 13. Thelower end of the hollow head is closed by a base piece comprisinghorizontally spaced plates 65 and 65v secured together and to the headby a plurality of boltsI 61 that extend upwardly there- 55 through-andare threaded into openings 68 in an inwardly formed peripheral fiange 69about the lower end of the head.

The plate 65 is formed on its underside with flanges 16 in suchrelationship as to provide two 60 pairs of guideways between the plate's65-65; the guideways being radial of the head and those Aof the samepair being alined with each other dia.- metrically of the head and atright angles to the guideways ofthe other pair, as seen in Fig. 14. 65Slidably fitted in one pair of guideways' are roll mounting slides 1 I1I and slidably fitted in the other are slides 12 and 12. The slides1I-1I respectively, mount the rst operation seaming rolls 13-13 and theother slides likewise mount 70 the second operation rolls 14.-14.'I'hese seaming rolls are located at the undersides and at the outerends of their mounting slides, as seen in Fig. 13, and each roll isfreely revoluble on a supporting stud 15 mounted eccentrically within a75 bushing 16 which is rotatably tted in a bore 11 through its mountingslide parallel with the axis of the seamer head. 'I'he stud is formedwith a lower'end enlargement 15a on which the seaming 3g roll is mountedand this enlargement provides a shoulder 18 that seats against the lowerend of the bushing. In the arrangement of Fig. 13 the bushing has alower end wrench head 16a adapted .i to receive a wrench for turning thebushing to make any slight inward or outward adjustment Y of the roll,and this head rests against a bearing b oss 19 integralv with the slideand extending downwardly therefrom. At their upper ends the studs havenuts 88 threaded thereonto against 15 the upper faces of the slides toretain the adjustment of the roll that is made 'by rotative adjustmentofthe bushings.

The base plate 66 of the head is slotted radially as at 8|, for passageof the slide bosses 19 and to permit the radial adjustment of the slidesfor actuating the rolls inwardly and outwardly rela.- tive to the canflange. i

In an alternative'construction, as seen in Fig.

, Alila the bushing 16 may be toothed as at 83 1.o iit Mthe threads ofan adjusting screw 84 rotatably mounted in the downwardly directed bossof the slide. This screw is accessible from the under face of the headand may be rotated to effect a turning adjustment of the bushing.

80 Disposed coaxially of the seamer head and its .spindle and extendingupwardly from the latter is a shaft 85 that is fixed rigidly at itsupper end in a bracket 86 that is bolted to the housing 6. At its lowerend this shaft mounts the pad 85l against which the cans are lifted forseaming, as previously stated. Surrounding the shaft 85 and slidablethereon is a sleeve 81 which, at its lower end, mounts. a chuck 88adapted to be moved down-into the countersink ofthe can cover tov '4oback up the seaming rolls for the seaming operation. This sleeve isactuated upwardly and downwardly to move the chuck against and from thecover by means of a lever 99 pivotally mounted between its ends on apivot shaft 9|.

At its outer end it has a pivoted connection, as at 92, with a collar 93fixed-on thev sleeve, and at its inner end, it has a cam roller 94adapted to follow within a cam groove 95 in acam wheel 96 fixed on theshaft 63; the cam groove, as seen in Fig. 4,

5o extending through an arc of approximately two -hundred five degreesof the same radius, then -merging into an arcuate portion 95a of greaterradius.v When the cam roller moves into this portion of greater radius,the lever 90 will be 554 actuatedv to shift the sleeve 81 downwardly,

thereby to seat the chuck 88 within the countersink of the can cover toback up the seaming rolls during the seam forming operation. "I'When thel cam follower passes into that portion of the 6`0` groove of lesserradius, the lever is actuated to lift the chuck from the can cover.

Rotatably tted about the sleeve81 and-shift-r able vertically thereon,is'a sleeve 98 which has a block 89 fixed to the lower end thereofwithin the fgseamer lhead. 'Preferably this block wouldV be mountedthrough themediacy of ball bearings, as

indicatedA at |06, in Fig. 13 to rotate on sleeve 81.

Pivotally attached by pivot pins III I-I 8 I to ears N12-|02 extendingdownwardly from the head 70f 88 at opposite sides are links M-'IM whichat their outer ends are'pivotally attached by pins I85I05' respectivelyto ears IUS-|06 extend- `i`, .'i ngr11 pwardly through slots I81-I91 inplate 65.

Thus, ban'upward and then 'a downward shift- .l 76T iugof` the sleeve 81from a neutral position, theyoi. the plate within the -head on' verticalstuds IIIl-I I0' fixed in the plate diametrically oppo-v -5 site thecenter ofthe head, are bell cranks I I2 and |I2'. The bell crank II2 hasarms II3a and I I3b at right angles to each other; the arm II3aoverlying slide 1I whilev arm II3b overlies slide 12. A link III isconnected pivotally at one end lo bya pin II5 to the arm I I8a and atits other/end is pivotally connected by pin I I6 with the slide 1 I 'Ihearm II3b has a. longitudinal slot II1 slidably containing a block I I8that is mounted on a pivot pin II9 fixed inthe slide 12. Likewise, thebell 15 crank II2 has one arm connected by a link Ill' with slide 1 Iand its other arm connected through a blockl II8' and pin II9 with slide12. By reason of this bell crank and link form of connection, a downwardshifting of the sleeve 88 and zo block 99 will cause the slides 12-12'to be moved outwardly while the slides 1I-1I will be moved inwardly.Likewise, when block 88 is shifted upwardly, the slides 12-12' will bemoved inwardly and the other slides 1I-1I' will be moved out- 25 wardly.Thus, the seaming rolls for the rst and second seam forming operationsmay alternately be brought into operation. By disposing the head in aneutral or intermediate position, all rolls will be held in a neutralposition free ofthe 30 can flange. l l i l 'Ihe means provided foractuating the sleeve 98 upwardly and downwardly to adjust the positionof the seaming rolls, comprises a lever |25" that is pivotally mountedon a pivot shaft |26. a5-

' within a cam groove; I3I, in a. cam wheel |32 o keyed onsshaft 63..The cam groove I3I of cam |32 is concentric of the shaft -63 andis ofuniform radius for approximately three hundred defgrees and while the,follower is in this portion,

the lever |25 holds the seaming'rolls -in neutral s position. Then justafter the chuck has been actuated into the countersink of the can end bycam 96, the follower |38 passes into an inwardly directed portion I32aof the cam groove and this causes the block 99 to be shifted to bringthe 50 first operation rolls inwardly against the can cover flange tothus perform the first seam forming operation. Immediately followingthis, the follower moves into an outwardly inclined portion I32b of thecam groove and this causes the slides 5 to be shifted to displace theirst'operation rolls and Vto bring the second operation rolls into opleration to complete the formationof the seam.

The follower then moves along a portion -I82c of the groove back intothe neutral position.

The movement of the chuck 88 and the action of the vseeming rolls arsynchronized by reason of both cam wheels 96 and I 32 being keyed on`the same shaft 63. Also, the action of the can lever 29, whereby thecan support is actuated, is

formed on one end of a sleeve I|35 revoluble onV a shaft |38 fixed`transversely within the housing 6. On the sleeve is a lever arm |31carrying a cam roller |38 atgits end adapted to follow within a camgroove |39 of the cam wheel |3615??` hundred fifteen degrees and whilethe cam fol-A lower is contained in this portion, the parts controlledby the cam retain the vacuum c hamberv closed. Then the follower passesinto a portion |39a of smaller radius and the cam lever operates tolower the pad for withdrawing the seamed can and to place the pad I6 inposition for receiving another can for seaming.

By reference to Fig. 4, the relationship of the cam wheels will `benoted, and it will be observed also, with reference to diagram of Fig.16 that the cam |34 actuates the lever 22 to lift the can into thesealing chamber and to seal the latter an appreciable interval beforethe seaming operation takes place. Also, the relative location of thecams indicates that the chuck will be actuated into the can end justahead of the seaming operation and brought outv coincident withfinishing the operation.

The application of vacuum to the vacuumizing chamber is under control ofa valve operating in synchronism with the seamer. This valve, as seenbest in Figs. 1, 5, 6 and?, comprises a casing formed with a base flange|46 through which bolts are yextended to secure it to the side of thehousing 6. 'Ihis casing is formed with a bore |41 through which theshaft 63 extends. Mounted on the shaft at the outside oi.' the housingis a valve disk |48 that ts snugly within a circular recess |49 in theouter face of the housing. A disk holding nut |50 is adjustably lockedon the shaft at the outside of the disk by a set screw |5| therethroughand coiled springs |52 contained in sockets |53 in the nut pressinwardly against the hub of the disk .to retainthe disk seated withinthe recess. This disk is caused to rotate with the nut by means of pins|54 that are fixed in the nut and which extend into slots |55 formed inthe hub portion ofthe disk.

Entering the top of the valve casing |45 is a pipe |58 leading from asource of vacuum. This connects with a chamber |59 opening directly tothe face of the recess |49 in which th'e disk is rotatably fitted. Thereis also a chamber |60 formed in the 'face of the recess at the samedistance from the aids of the valve as the chamber |59, but at aninterval of ninety degrees advanced therefrom and from this chamber apipe |62 extends into the Vtop of the vacuumizing chamber I. y

Theinner face of the valve disk |48 iits revolubly against the base ofthe recess |49 in an air tight joint, and formed in the inner face ofthedisk is an arcuate slot |68, the forward end portion |68a of which isgradually tapered in width and depth to a point. This gro'ove is adaptedto pass in registration with both chambers |59 and and it is of suchlength that as the disk rotates it will overlap both chambers while. thedisk rotates through an interval of approximately y onehundred eightydegrees to provide a connection whereby vacuum will be applied from pipe|58 through pipe |62 to the chamber I. The

length of the slot |68 determines the period of vacuumization and inthis instance this period begins practically coincident with the closingof the chamber by the platen I8 when a can is lifted into the chamberfor seaming.

There is also a port |69 directly through the valve disk and this is solocated that it will pass into registration with the chamber |60at thetermination of each vacuum applying period, as

-seen in Fig. 7, thus to break the vacuum in chamber to make possiblethe easy lowering of the y chamber sealing platen.

Action of the vacuum applying valve may be properly synchronized withthe action of the seamer and chamber sealing platen by properly 5adjusting and then locking the valve driving nut |50 on the shaft 63,which in this instance, mounts the'various cams that time the operationof the seamer mechanism, and also the action of the chamber sealingplaten and can positioning pad.

It will be mentioned here that the shaft 63 rotates but once for eachcomplete vacuumizing and can seaming operation; therefore with thevarious cams which controlthe action of the platen, can lifting pad,chuck, seamer slides, and also the rotary member of the valve mounted onthis shaft, it is possible to maintain them in azcurate timing.

In Fig. 7a we have illustrated the valve slot as 20 being square cut atboth ends, and this is satisfactory when some heavy' products are beingpacked, but a special feature of this valve resides in the details ofconstruction of the groove in the inner face of the disk, particularlywith reference to the tapered forward end portion |68a as seen in Figs.6 and 7. It is apparent that as the valve disk rotates, this restrictedend portion |68a first comes into communication with the chamber' |60fand initially makes a very slight 30 application of vacuum, the vacuumin the chamber thereby being gradually applied so that the undesirabledrawing out of contents of a can by reason of too sudden an applicationof high vacuum is avoided.

A hand valve |10 is located in pipe |58 to shut oif the application ofvacuum to the machine and a pressure gauge is located in pipe |62 toindicate the degree of vacuum in the chamber I.

For the purpose of indicating cans that are 40 not properly Vacuumizedat the close of the seaming operation, we use an electrically actuatedsignal device, |15, such as a buzzer, bell or light, and connect this inan electric circuit, as seen in Figs. 1 and l0. The circuit includes asource 45 of electricity |16 one side of which is connected by a` wire|11 with one side of the signal |15, a wire |18 leading from the otherside of the signal to a switch contact |19, a wire leading from a switchcontact |8| to a binding post |82 of a 60 circuit closer, a Wire` |83leading from the other side of the source of electricity to a bindingpost |84 of the circuit closer, a circuit closing element coaxially ofand slidably within shaft 85 and 65' which at its lower4 end extendsslightly .below the. face of the pad 35. When a can is in position to beseamed, this rod rests upon the can end, or'cover, as seen in Fig. 10. n

'I'he binding posts |82 and |84 are mounted 70 within an air tightcasing |86 that is supported upon the bracket 86. These posts aresupported through -the medium of insulating bushings |86a. Also theconnector |81 mounted on rod |9| by insulating block |90 is contained inthe casing l5 Y 2ol 186 which is connected at its top by a pipe |62awith the pipe |62 so that the tendency of shifting the rodv |9|downwardlyby reason of application of vacuum to chamber I will bebalanced by the application ofA vacuum to casing |66.

The can cover, or end |1a, is of a exible character and after vacuum hasbeen drawn in the chamber I and the can has been sealed, the opening ofthe chamber to outside air will cause the end to be depressed as to thedotted line position of Fig. 10. Therefore, the length of the rod |9|has been accurately determined, so that when the can end is notdepressed, the connector |81 will be held in a lifted position and willeffect a circuit connection between finger |66'-|66, but if the can endwall is inwardly depressed by reason of drawing the vacuum in the canthis permits the rod to drop downwardly a slight distance so that theconnection is not made and a circuit will not be closed to the signaldevice |15 incident to the closing of the circuit between contacts |19and |8I, which is timed to take place immediately following the breakingof vacuum in the chamberl by the valve mechanism, but before the can islowered.

The cont-acts |19 and |8|, as seen in Figs. 5 and 8 are fixed Within aninsulated ring |95 fixed about one end of shaft 63 on a supporting hub|96 that is bolted to the casing 6. A nut |91 is adjustably fixed on theextended end of shaft 63 and about this is fastened the contact memberwhich is a segment of a metallic'ring and it is provided diametricallyofthe shaft with outwardly formed portions |65'-|65' adapted tosimultaneously engage with the contacts |19 and |8| once for eachrotation of the shaft 63 to close a circuit between them. With thesignal device so constructed, and with the circuit closer |65 properlyadjusted on the shaft 63 so as to close a circuit between the contacts|1| and |6| at the end of each seaming operation just after vacuum inthe chamber has been broken but before the can is lowered, it is readilyapparent that if a can is properly vacuumized the can cover will bedepressed by the outside pressure and the connector |81 will drop awayfrom the fingers IBB-|88 so that the signal circuit cannot be completed.However, if the can is not vacuumized, the cover will not be depressedand the connector will be supported thereby in contact with the fingersand the circuit will be completed through the signal to give a visibleor audible indication of this fact.

While we havev illustrated and described the machine as being of asemi-automatic character, it is readily apparent that its action couldbe made fully automatic by use of a feed mechanism similar to or likethat illustrated in-Fig. 17, wherein 2|0 designates a reciprocallyactuated feed slide whereby cans are successive- -ly delivered from afeed chute 2|| onto the pad |6 when it is in lowered position and arotary arm 2|2 driven byy a shaft 2|3 advances the seamed cans from thepad to a delivery chute 2|4. connecting it with a"crank 2|1 on the lowerend of a drive shaft 2|6 connected by gearing 2| 9 to rotate with theshaft |53, while the ann 2|2 is rotated by a sprocket chain belt 22,9joperating aboutsprockets 22| and 222 on the shafts The feed slideis'actuated by a link 2|6 In Figs. 19, 20 and 21 we have shown in adiagrammatic manner' an alternative means for feeding cans to and fromthe pad vI8. In this arrangement a table 225 is attached -to the mainframe with its horizontal top surface level with 5 the pad when it waslowered. This table mounts Vytwo rotatably movable shafts 226-221 atoppo-v site sides of the pad in bearings 226, 229. At the upper end ofshaft 226 is a can1 feed arm239. At the upper end of shaft` 229 is anarm 23|; these arms being so positioned that the first may, by rotativeaction of its shaft. operate to move a can placed on the table at theposition 235, onto the pad. Likewise, the arm 23| may operate to removethe can from the pad 15 to the position 236.

These two shafts are actuated in synchronism with the samer mechanism bycams 236 and 239 fixed, respectively, on the outer faces of the camwheels |32 and |341.A The cam 236, 20 actuates a lever l 240 which,through suitable levers and linkage as at 24| actuates the arm 230 whilecam 239, through similar mechanism, actuates the lever arm 23|. Thismechanism is` simply illustrative of one means for automatical- 25 lyfeeding cans onto and from the pad.

It is to be understood also that fully automatic machines employing aplurality of units of the type Adescribed are anticipated. In thismultiplev unit type of machine the individual 30 ber 1,874,854, in whichthe cans are automati- 35,'

cally fed to the vacuum chambers and also automatically removed.` Italso is contemplated in such a machine to lemploy the master valve whichis the subjectymatter of the above patent, for

controlling the application `of vacuum to the 40v various chambersinstead of equipping each unit with an individual control valve.

With the machine constructed as herein illustrated its operation,briefly described, is as followsz- With the platen I8 and pad |6 inlowered position, a can |1 with cover |1a., loosely placed thereon, iscentered on the pad. :Rotation ofshaft 63, through the cam |34link 26,lever 22 and post |4 causes the pad to-be lifted'to place 50,l the can4inside the chamber land the platen to close the chamber. coincidentwith closing the chamber, the valve disk |48 moves into position toconnect pipes' |58 and |62 for applying vacuum to the chamber. By reasonof the 55- looseness of the cover on the can and by 'reason of' thechuck not yet beingseated in thev cover, the can wilkbc quicklyvacuumized. Following theinitial vacuumizing period, the chuck isactuated down into the countersink of theft()- i cover and then'thefirst and second loperation rolls of the double seamer take effect insuccession to seam the cover to the can. Then, the chuck is lifted andthe platen andpad are loweredto remove the can, but just prior tolowering the 65' pa'df the valve operates to break the vacuum in thechamber and the testis made through the signal device toindlcatewhetheror not the canV is .properly vacuumized.

An important feature of this invention is in 70..l

the setting of the pad 35 so that when a can is liftedagainst it, thepad merely acts as an abutmentwto hold the can end in place during eperiod, thus doing away with of the covers on the cans prior to 1li.

vacuumizing, .asq is ordinarily done. Also, it is to be noted that thechuck 88 is not seated in the cover until after a long period ofvacuurnlzation, and thus the possibility of improper or insufficientvacuumization resultant to the chuck holding the cover seated tootightly, .is avoided.

Furthermore, the pad 35 retains the can against upward lifting with `thechuck when ,the latter is Awithdrawn and in this way the usual knock outpad is eliminated. It is intended also that the pad 35 shall be solocated relative to the supporting pad I6 that it will depress `thecover slightly in the center when the can is in seaming position therebyto cause the cover flange to be deflected upwardly. This produces only aline contact betweenthe cover ange and can body flange instead of theusual ilat surface to surface contact, thus to make the vacuumization ofthe can easier and quicker.

This type of machine is relatively simple in construction, andrelatively inexpensive. However, it is very desirable `for use as` itproduces a very high and uniform vacuumization of cans.

To adapt itv to cans of different diameters it is only necessary to makeproper adjustment of the seamer slides, change the lower section Ib ofthe chamber to one of proper size and to adjust the movement of post I 4by use of parts of proper form.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new therein anddesire to secure by Letcomprising a vacuumizing chamber having a b aseopening, a revolving double seamer head in the chamber, a can isupport,means for locating a can, with cover loosely applied thereto, on thesupport for seaming and means for actuating the support to lift the caninto the chamber for vacuumizing and seaming; said seamer headcomprising a central, stationary abutment pad against which the cancover is pressed to retain it against displacement during vacuumizationof the can, a chuck movable against the can cover to seat it aftervacuumization of the can, .and seaming rolls operable against the coveriiange to seam it to the can body. I 2. In a. can vacuumizing andclosing machin a vacuumizing chamber, and a valve for controlling'application of vacuum to said chamber comprising a housing having spacedpockets opening to a face of the housing and connected respectively witha source of vacuum and with the chamber and a rotary valve plateoverlying that face and normally closing the pockets and having a slottherein adapted to overlap the pockets simultaneouslyduringa certaininterval of rotation of the plate thereby to provide a connectionbetween the source of vacuum and chamber; said slot being graduallyretricted in size toward its forward end, thereby to provide for' agradual enlargement of the connecting passage as the vacuum is applied.1

3. In a can vacuumizing and seaming machine, a vacuumizing chamber,means for vac,- uumizing and sealing a can while dispose'd in thechamber, means for releasing the vacuum after sealing the can wherebyexternal air pressure will cause inward deflection of a flexible wall ofthe can and a signal device rendered active or inactive by movement ofsaid wall.

and sealing a can therein, means for admitting ported by said can walland adapted to be moved 5 incident to said depression to render thesignal inactive 5. In a can vacuumizing and sealing machine, avacuumizing chamber, means in the chamber for vacuumizing and sealing acan, means for admitting atmospheric pressure to the chamber after thecan has been searned, an electrically energized signal device, a circuittherefor, a control switch -in the circuit, and an actuating meanstherefor resting against a flexible wall of the 15 can and adapted tomove therewith to open in'- cident to deection of the can end wall byreason of atmospheric pressure thereagainst.

6. In a machine of the character described,a vacuumizin'g chamber,aseamer in the chamber, 20 for sealing a can 'under vacuo therein, avalve operable to control the applicationof vacuum to the chamber forvaciiumizing the can prior to seaming, and'whereby the chamber is openedto atmospheric pressure after seaming, a rotatably 25 driven shaftsynchronizing the valve and seamer -in their functional operations, anelectrically energized signal device, a circuit therefor, a switch inthe circuit rotating in synchronism withA the operations of seamer andvalve for momentarily 80 closing the circuit once for eachvcycle ofoperation, and a circuit breaker having a support engaging a ilexiblewall of the can and normally held in circuit closing position therebybut movl able to open the circuitv by reason of inward de- 85 ection ofthe wall incident to application of atmospheric pressure thereagainst.

7. In a can vacuumi'zing machine, said can having a flexible wall, anindicator, an actuating member for the indicator resting' against the 40said wall of the can and adapted to be moved therewith between activeand,E inactive positions incident to movement of the wall effected byvacuumizing the can.

8. In a can closing machine, a revolvable 45 seamer head, a pair ofslides radially movable in the head, each mounting a seaming roll at itsouter end for one seaming operation, another pair of slides mountedradiallyof the head and having seaming rolls at their outer ends for an-50 other seaming operation, a member axially mov'- able in the head,toggle links connecting the member with the slides of the first pairwhereby movement ofthe member upwardly and downwardly from a neutralposition will eiect an inward and an outward adjustment'of the slides,and means interconnecting the slides of the iirst pair with those of thesecond pair, whereby the latter will be adjusted with the rst pair butin an opposite direction.

9. A device as in claim 8 wherein the paired slides are diametrical ofthe head and those of the first pair at a right angle to those of thesecond pair, and wherein bell crank levers are pivotally mounted in thehead and connected at 35 their end with slides ofthe different pairswhereby an adjustment of those of one pair will eiet an oppositeadjustment of those of the other pair. l

10. In a can seaming machine, a seamer head, means 'for supporting a canAaxially thereof for seaming, a pad iixed centrally of the head againstwhich the can end is supported, a seaming chuck movable into andfrom thecan cover, a pair of slides radially movable in the head, each mountmentof the slides, and means interconnecting the slides of the rst pair withthose of the second pair, whereby the latter will be adjusted with therst pair but in an opposite direction, and. means coaxial of the headfor rotating the head, for actuating the chuck and for shitting theslide adjusting member.

' GEORGE A. BARDET. GEORGE V. BARDET.

